Red squirrels in Northumberland

Here are some of the best areas in Northumberland to see red squirrels as well as places to stay which have red squirrels in their grounds.

• Kielder Forest has between 60% to 75% of England's red squirrels; but it is not always easy to see them in this vast forest.
• Find out more about the value of Kielder forest for red squirrel's at Kielder Castle's new attraction - the Red Squirrel's World, created by Save our Squirrels (opens 1st April 2010). 
• Download The SoS Kielder Red Squirrel Reserve Leaflet for more information about the Reserve and how to spot red squirrels in the forest.
• Walk, cycle or ride along the numerous trails through Kielder Water and Forest Park - keep your eyes open for flashes of russet or red and keep your ears listening for the loud chatter of squirrels.
• Visit the hide at Leaplish Activity Centre where reds often visit or sit in the restaurant and see red squirrels visiting the feeders via live webcams. 
• Wallington Hall (National Trust) near Cambo has a lovely hide and had an excellent red squirrel population.  Unfortunately, the Squirrelpox virus has resulted in a reduction of red squirrels in this area, but visitors can help Wallington find out how the red squirrels are doing by keeping their eyes peeled for sightings of reds around Wallington. (Admission charge to the grounds unless a member).
• Plessey Woods near Bedlington and Queen Elizabeth II Park in Ashington have regular sightings of red squirrels.
• Gosforth Park has the only urban population of red squirrels in England.
• Cragside (National Trust) and other woodlands around Rothbury are also reknowned for their red squirrels.
• Killhope Lead Mining Museum has a squirrel hide.
• Thrunton Woods and the Ford & Etal area also have regular sightings of red squirrels.
• Slaley Hall and the forests around Slaley have occassional sightings of red squirrels. 
• Howick Hall Gardens & Aboretum covers about 65 acres and virtually all has been grown from seed collected in the wild since 1985. There are about 11,000 trees and shrubs.
• Bolam Lake Country Park lakeside, woodlandand & open grassed areas.
• Belsay Hall & Gardens formal gardens and wild woodland.
• Micklewood Park in Longhirst has resident red squirrels in the grounds.

Accommodation with red squirrels

Bed and breakfast

Bridgeford Farm, Bellingham - http://www.bridgefordfarmbandb.co.uk/

Cheviot Holiday Cottages, Ingram near Alnwick - http://www.cheviotholidaycottages.co.uk/

Squirrel Cottage, 2 Yarrow Corner, Falstone, Northumberland, NE48 18Q, Tel: 01434 240 093

Westfield Cottage, Thropton, nr Rothbury - http://www.westfield-cottage.co.uk/index.html

Hotels and inns

Battlesteads Country Inn and Restaurant, Wark in the North Tyne Valley - http://www.battlesteads.com/

Linden Hall, Longhorsley - http://www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk/lindenHall/

Self catering

Doxford Cottages,  Luxury 5 star self catering cottages near the Northumbrian Coast, Bamburgh and Alnwick. http://www.doxfordcottages.co.uk/

Micklewood Park, Longhirst - http://www.micklewoodpark.com/

Camping and caravan parks

Wansbeck Riverside Park Caravan and Camping Site - look through http://www.wansbeck.gov.uk/ or phone 01670 812323